Acknowledgements, Preface, Introduction and Guide to Usage

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This guide is a tribute to Tracy B. Grimm, former Albany County
archivist. Tracy tried unsuccessfully to convince intern after intern to
write a finding aid to Albany County court records because she understood
the importance of making these valuable records more accessible
to the public. She was finally successful when she convinced me to
complete this project in the fall and spring of 1992-1993.
Tracy proved to be of invaluable support, graciously answering my
endless barrage of questions and providing the many suggestions which
gave this guide its final form.
Many others were of great assistance. Especially helpful
was James Folts of the New York State Archives whose broad knowledge
of New York State court history saved me from embarrassing errors.
He also provided may fine suggestions on the style and format of this
guide. Many thanks to Charles Gehring, head of the New Netherlands
Project, who answered questions concerning the early Dutch court
records. Thanks also to Lynda A. Hebert, the Hall of Records'
Data Entry Supervisor, whose desk top publishing skills provided
the polished, professional appearance of this guide.
On a more personal note, I would like to thank my cousin Bonnie Weir,
an attorney; and my friend Neil Dignon, a law student, for their clear,
simple explanations of complicated legal terms and procedures.
I Would like to thank all those who proofread the guide and made
helpful suggestions on improving it: the Honorable Thomas Clingan,
Albany County Clerk; Mary Wallen, Executive Director of the
Hall of Records; and Virginia Farinacci, the current
Albany County Archivist. Finally, I would like to thank my co-workers
at the Hall of Records who all helped in many ways.
David Lowry
1994
PREFACE

This guide, by David Lowry, is another of a series of publications by
the Albany County Hall of Records intended to better inform the
public of the holdings and availability of documents here at the Hall.
The author has done an exceptional job of extensively reviewing the
court records, explaining the function of each court, and summarizing
the time periods covered by each series.
These records are of interest beyond Albany County and the city of
Albany, since Albany County once encompassed most of upstate
New York north of Ulster County and westward to Lake Erie, gradually
reducing to its present boundaries by 1809. For the period before the
Revolution, Albany County's courts covered a vast territory, and these
records reflect this responsibility.
Our responsibility, 310 years after the creation of Albany, is to do
more than preserve these records: we must help to make them
available and accessible to the public. One important means to that
end is the publication of descriptions like this one, and we are grateful
to Mr. Lowry and the staff of the Albany County Hall of Records
for this fine effort.
Thomas G. Clingan
Albany County Clerk
1994
INTRODUCTION

The history of the New York courts is a long and complicated one.
This finding aid to Albany County's court records held in the Albany
County Hall of Records is designed to simplify that history and
to make these records more accessible to the general public.
The history and jurisdiction of fifteen different courts, most of
them now defunct, and other court-related records are outlined here.
The estimated 1,960 cubic feet of records range in date from
1652 (Fort Orange court minutes) to 1981 (court payroll).
More recent records of the Supreme and County Courts may be
accessed through the County Clerk's office.
This finding aid is broken down into seven main sections:
Pre-County Courts, County Courts, City Courts, The Supreme Court,
Surrogate's Court, Other Records (this section contains records of
several courts together), and Court Related Records.
A brief history of each court is given, followed by the series
descriptions of the various records for that court. Descriptions
include the record series title, yearscovered, the quantity of records
(cubic feet), how arranged, and the city or county agency from which
the records originated. The form of the records is described; for example,
whether the records are in a bound volume or unbound and arranged in a box.
Other information includes whether the records are handwritten or typed
and whether there is an index. Finally, there is a brief description of
the contents.
Since the overwhelming majority of court requests concern
the finding of a specific court case, a user's guide, "A Guide to Usage,
With Hints for Finding a Specific Court Case" and a chart of court
jurisdiction has been included. The guide and chart may help the user
determine which court would have heard the particular
case.
Court records can be difficult to use for those who are not
legal scholars. Determining a court's jurisdiction and the type of cases it
heard can take quite some time, especially considering the vast amount
of court records housed at the Hall of Records. It is hoped that this
finding aid will make these important and voluminous
records more accessible to all users.
A GUIDE TO USAGE, WITH HINTS FOR FINDING A CASE

The way to find a case is to narrow down the number of records in
which the case may possibly be found. In law, there are basically
two types of cases, civil and criminal. Civil cases involve law suits,
that is, one party or parties suing another party or parties.
Criminal cases, of course, involve an individual or individuals
charged with a crime. The first step is to decide which one of
these two categories your case will fall into. Once that is done,
you can eliminate a certain number of courts from
consideration by referring to the court jurisdiction chart
The next step is to have a time period in mind to help narrow
down the search even more. Then, check each court having
the proper jurisdiction for the time period it covers. Those
records not in the desired time period can now be eliminated.
While using courts with concurrent jurisdiction, remember to
check each series to see if it contains records of a civil or
criminal nature.
Lets look at an example. Your ancestor was arrested in the
1890's , but you aren't sure of what crime. First, you would
check the jurisdiction chart, since you know it would be in
a criminal court. This eliminates six courts right away. Now,
you check all courts with criminal and concurrent jurisdiction
to find out which ones cover your time period. By doing this,
you narrow down your search to five courts, plus the trial term
of the Supreme Court. Not every series of each group of court
records covers your time period, so this narrows down your
search even more. If you don't find your case here, don't be
discouraged; it may be in one of the series described in
this finding aid's "Other Records" section.
Since our first example was a criminal case, let's now look
at some hints for finding a civil case. The first steps are
the same as with a criminal case: eliminate certain series by
jurisdiction and time period. If the time period matches your
case, it is best to start with the judgement dockets, books or
indexes, since all are indexed and cover different courts.
If your time period does not match, you will have to check
each court to find the case and don't forget to check the
"Other Records" section too.
There are a few more points to remember. First, check the
records carefully. Often a case will appear more than once
in a single series or in several different series. The more
information you find, the better your understanding of the case.
The second and most difficult aspect of using these
records is fighting your way through all the "legalese", so a law
dictionary is a must. Except where gaps appear in the series,
because records have been lost or damaged, you should be
able to find your case. Hopefully, this finding aid will make your
search much easier. Good luck!

Pre-County and County Courts

PRE-COUNTY COURTS

The Court of Fort Orange and Beverwijck
This court was established in 1652. One of the earliest courts
in the region, its jurisdiction covered Fort Orange, Beverwijck
(Albany's original Dutch name), Schenectady, Kinderhook, Claverack,
Coxsackie and Catskill. The court heard civil cases and non-capital
criminal cases. Capital cases were heard in Stuyvesant's court,
the Central Council, on Manhattan. In 1664, the English took
control of the colony of New Netherlands, renamed it New York
and with this change, the Court of Fort Orange and Beverwijck
ceased to function.
MINUTES. (1652-1659, not inclusive). 1.5 Volumes. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
In Dutch. AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
This series summarizes the day-to-day proceedings of the court.
Some of the more common cases were those involving property
disputes, debts, slander and the use of abusive language.
New laws were also published in these minutes.
The original manuscripts are in Dutch, but typed translations made
earlier this century are available in bound volumes or on microfilm.
A more thorough discussion of the Fort Orange Minutes,
as well as a more recent translation of the minutes, is available in
a printed bound volume entitled Fort Orange Court Minutes
by Charles T. Gehring; published by the Syracuse University Press.
A copy is housed at the Hall of Records.
The Minutes for the years 1658-59 are included in the first half of a
book labeled Fort Orange Proceedings, The second half of the book
contains such records as deeds, bills of sale, Indian treaties and powers
of attorney; entries for the year 1657 are missing from this series.
The Court of Albany, Rensselaerwyck and Schenectady
This court replaced the Court of Fort Orange and Beverwijck
in 1664 with the establishment of English rule. However,
despite English rule the official administrative language remained Dutch
until 1685. It was at the end of that year that the court was abolished
and its duties were transferred to the new Mayor's Court.
MINUTES. (1668-1685, not inclusive). 4 Volumes. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
In Dutch. AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
These records are basically the same as the Fort Orange Court Minutes;
only the name of the court has changed. The minutes summarize
the day to day proceedings of the court or chronicle such cases
as property disputes, debts, and slander. A complete, typed translation
of the minutes in bound volumes or on microfilm is available.
A more thorough discussion of the minutes, as well as a complete
translation, is available in printed bound volumes entitles Minutes of
the Court of Albany, Rensselaeryck and Schenectady, Volumes one
through three, published by the University of the State of New York
at Albany, 1932, Entries for the year 1674 are missing from this series.

COUNTY COURTS

The Court of Sessions
When the colony of New York established counties in 1683, each
county established a Court of Sessions. Originally, this court heard
civil and criminal cases, but after 1691 it became restricted to
criminal matters that were not capital cases. Among the more
common cases were assault and burglary, less common were
attempted rape, bigamy and receiving stolen goods. The
jurisdiction of the Court of Sessions was eventually
absorbed by the County Court.
MINUTES. (1685-1895, not inclusive). 42 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten. AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
These are useful records for obtaining important facts of the case.
Often a case can be traced from beginning to end, since each case
has more than one entry. The last entry, which records the
convict's sentence, also reveals the crime, when it occurred and
upon whom. Other information includes rulings on motions, orders
of the court, and the swearing in of jurors and witnesses. The
following gaps exist in this series: 1690-1716, 1724-1762
and 1782-1799.
RECORD OF CONVICTIONS. (1849-1899. 4 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological then Alphabetical.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
This series and the Minutes have similar information. These
records give each convicts name, crime, when it was committed,
upon whom and the sentence received.
SURETY OF THE PEACE, SET BY RECOGNIZANCES. (1873). 1 Volume.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten.
This is a record of surety bonds posted by one accused of
threatening violence upon another. The information recorded
is the name of the bond-holder, the amount of the bond, the
crime threatened, the name of the party threatened and a witness
to the threat. The most common threats recorded were of
murder and assault. Unfortunately, this is the only volume
and it contains only a few entries.
REGISTER OF INDICTMENTS. (1875-1884). 2 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten. Indexed.
These records give the name of the accused, the alleged crime and
how the case was disposed. They also indicate whether the accused
was indicted and the case sent to trial, or the accused was cleared of the
charges.
REGISTER. (1901-1906). 1 Volume. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
This series appears to be a record of arraignments. It reveals when
the cases were received, the charge, the arraignment date, the plea and
the name of counsel. About half the cases have a recorded
outcome: "case dismissed", "fined and discharged",
or "pled guilty, suspended sentence".
The Court of Common Pleas
The Court of Common Pleas was established in 1691 to take over
the civil jurisdiction of the Court of Sessions. It continued until
1847 when its duties were absorbed by the County Court.
MINUTES. (1763-1849). 20 Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten. AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
These records contain little information on the facts of each case.
The titles of the case (e.g., Jones vs. Smith), the date and the final
judgement is just about all that is recorded. Why the case was brought
to trial and what it was about is impossible to ascertain from this series.
ORDER BOOK. (1803-1832). 1 Volume. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
This series is a record of court orders. The most common orders were
for people to "enter a plea within twenty days" or to pay a judgement.
FILINGS. (t790-1822). 1 Volume. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
This volume is a judgement docket which is arranged in a printed
chart containing the following information: who won the case,
the amount of damages awarded and whether the judgement was
obtained through a verdict, confession or default by the defendant.
County Court
The Albany County Court was established in 1847. In that year
it took over the jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas, which
heard civil cases, and in 1896 it absorbed the Court of Sessions
which tried criminal cases. Therefore, since 1896 the court has
had both criminal and civil jurisdiction in Albany County.
MINUTES. (1850-1911, not inclusive). 28 Volumes. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
This series pertains only to civil cases and mostly records orders
of the court. Two of the more common suits or matters recorded
were those involving land disputes and those
concerning incompetent persons.
CRIMINAL CAUSES. (1896-1911). 2 Volumes. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
These records continue the earlier series of minutes. Among
the information recorded were jurors lists, names of witnesses and
defendants, motions to set aside verdicts, and sentences. Some
important information is located under the arraignment
section, such as when and where the defendant was born,
his or her address, age and occupation. The court heard an
array of cases, from violation of the liquor law to murder.
CIVIL CAUSES. (1911-1943). 11 Volumes. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency 0rigin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
This series continues the earlier series of minutes. It records orders,
petitions to the court, affidavits, etc. The bulk of this series deals
with cases involving the appointment of a guardian for an infant (minor)
or an incompetent.
RECORD OF CONVICTIONS. (1931-1933). 1 Volume. Arrangement:
Chronological Then Alphabetical. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten.
This volume is a record of persons convicted of a crime in the
County Court. The following information is recorded: the convict's name,
the crime, where it was committed, upon whom, the sentence
received and the name of the jail or juvenile facility the convict
was sent to. Most of the cases involve felony crimes, such as
burglary, assault, rape, and attempted murder, for which most
convicts received a sentence of at least on year.
RECORD OF CASES. (1895-1899,1931). 1 Volume. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
This volume is a record of convictions which provides the convict's
name, the crime committed, where it occurred, upon whom
and the sentence received.
JUDGEMENT ROLLS. (1828-1922, BULK 1869-1898). 50 Cubic Feet.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten.
This series contains an array of records pertaining to court cases.
The bulk of these records is from civil cases. The most common
materials are pleadings, summons to appear in court and orders for a
sheriff to seize land or personal property for the satisfaction of a law
suit. Probably the most complete and helpful information on a case
can be found in this series. The pre-1896 boxes contain only civil
cases and the post- 1896 boxes contain only a few criminal cases.
It should be noted that, according to James Folts of the New York
State Archives, these may be filed papers from the Court of Common Pleas.
INDICTMENTS. (1909-1910). 1 Cubic Foot. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
This series records the date the indictment was filed, the plea,
trial date, verdict, sentence, and a list of witnesses who testified
in the case. A brief description of the crime is also recorded.

CITY COURTS

Mayor's Court
The Mayor's Court replaced the Court of Albany, Rensselaerwyck
and Schenectady in 1686 when English became the official
administrative language of the colony of New York. It was a
city court that held civil jurisdiction, although it did begin to hear
some minor criminal cases after 1830. The court's duties were
absorbed by the Supreme Court in 1868. All of the following series
were labeled Minutes, though actually comprising eight different series.
MINUTES. (1686 -1866,not inclusive). 16 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten. AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
These sixteen volumes cover the years 1760-1866. The years
1686-1760 are included in the Albany Common Council Minutes.
These minutes, as with those of other courts, reveal only such
information as the swearing in of jurors, naming of witnesses and
rulings on orders and motions. Occasionally found are naturalization
oaths taken by individuals admitting them to American citizenship.
The following gaps appear in this series: 1764-1765, 1779-1789
and 1816-1827.
CRIMINAL MINUTES. (1830-1863). 5 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk .
Handwritten. AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
Criminal Minutes contain information on the facts of a case. One
learns what crime was committed, when and where it took place,
upon whom, and the sentence the convict received. Other
information involves the setting of bail, pleas entered and grand
jury indictments. The more common cases tried included assault,
burglary, rape, forgery, robbery, gambling (all of which were felonies),
and petit larceny.
ORDER BOOKS (1807-1847). 12 Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
Order Books are a record of court orders. According to
Black's Law Dictionary an order is "a direction of a court or judge
made or entered in writing, and not included in a judgement.
An application for an order is a motion." Court orders often directed
sheriffs or coroners to perform a certain function for the court;
orders are used to appoint referees or guardians. Sometimes,
certain facts of a case can be ascertained from these records.
JUDGEMENT DOCKETS. (1780-1841, not inclusive). 3 Volumes.
Arrangement-. Chronological Then Alphabetical. Agency Origin:
Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
This is a register of civil cases arranged by the last name of the
person against whom judgement was obtained. Other information
includes how the judgement was obtained (by verdict, confession
or default), the damages, the date the judgement was filed and whether
satisfaction was obtained. According to the records, many judgements
were never satisfied or, if they were, they were not recorded. The years
1819-1836 are missing from this series.
WRIT BOOKS. (1812-1832, not inclusive). 5 Volumes. Arrangement:
Chronological Then Alphabetical. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten. AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
This series consists of registers of issuance and return of court
writs. According to Black's Law Dictionary, a writ is "an order issued
from a court requiring the performance of a specified act, or giving
authority to have it done". These writ books state the case name,
date the writ was returned (i.e., satisfied or completed), the fee, date
filed and the attorney's name.
JUDGEMENTS. (1802-1811). 1 Cubic Foot. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
These judgements concern the failure to pay promissory notes.
These records are a good source for obtaining the facts of a case,
since they reveal the reasons why people signed the notes and how
much the notes were worth.
ENTRIES OF APPEARANCE. (1830-1839). 1 Volume.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten. AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
This volume is a record of persons who were served a summons, the date,
and whether they appeared in court.
ATTORNEY'S DAYBOOK. (1815). 1 Volume. Arrangement: Alphabetical.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten. AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
An administrative record of the court, the Day Book is a
record of meals eaten by attorneys (usually veal, beef or mutton)
and when the tab was paid.
Albany Justice's Court
Founded in 1691, this court heard minor civil cases for the city of
Albany and was replaced by the City Court in 1883.
DOCKETS. (1822-1882, not inclusive). 45 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany City Court.
Handwritten. Indexed.
These records contain important information, enough to ascertain what
the case was about. Although some entries are more complete than others,
most share this information: when a summons was served, what the complaint
was about and whether the defendant appeared in court on the appointed day.
The majority of cases were for non-payment for goods or services, damage
to real or personal property, and negligence, with most of the judgements
ranging from five to fifty dollars
Albany City Court
The City Court replaced the Justice's Court in 1883 and heard the
same type of minor civil cases as its predecessor did.
DOCKETS. (1883-1939). 162 Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany City Court. Handwritten. Indexed.
Since the only difference between the Justice's Court and the
City Court was a change in name, these dockets are almost identical
in form and content to the Justice's Court dockets. This series
records when a summons was served, what a complaint was about,
and other information involving cases of negligence, non-payment for
goods or services, damage to real or personal property and
similar cases.
SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS. (1931-1947). 13 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany City Court.
Handwritten.
This series deals with the non-payment of mortgages and rents, for
which mortgagees and landlords found satisfaction in the City Court.
The court awarded mortgagees "possession of premises to the
petitioner" and landlords were awarded "judgement on rent" or
the right to evict a tenant. The records reveal the name of the
plaintiff and defendant, the judgement, and the location of
the premises in question.
INDEX TO CASES. (1938-1961, not inclusive). 22 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological Then Alphabetical. Agency Origin:
Albany City Court. Handwritten.
An administrative record, this series is arranged alphabetically
by both defendant's and plaintiff's name and includes a number.
The purpose of the number is not clear, referring possibly
to case papers which seem to have been destroyed.
The Court of Special Sessions.
One must be careful not to confuse the Court of Special Sessions,
a city court, with the Court of Sessions, a county court.
The Court of Special Sessions heard minor criminal cases
(misdemeanors), such as public intoxication, indecent exposure and
keeping a disorderly house. (According to Black's Law Dictionary,
a disorderly house "has a wide meaning, and includes bawdy houses,
houses of prostitution and places of like character").
MINUTES. (1893-1937). 3 Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
This series reveals scant information on the facts of a case.
Rulings on motions, pleas entered and sentencing are
the most common entries.
RECORD OF CONVICTIONS. (1882-1911). 3 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten.
This is a good source for obtaining the pertinent facts of a case.
A brief description of the crime reveals the name of the convict,
where he or she was born, his or her victim, if any, where the crime was
committed and a description of the goods stolen, if any.
COMMITMENTS. (1911-1929). 1 Volume. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
Quite similar to the Record of Convictions, it gives such useful
information as the name of the convict, his or her crime and victim
(if any), his or her birthplace and where the crime took place.
RECORD OF ARRAIGNMENTS. (1912-1925). 2 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten. Indexed.
Simply labeled "Volumes", this series records information on an
accused's arraignment in court: the date, the charge and how the
accused pleaded. Sometimes the outcome of a case is revealed
with the statements "dismissed" or "withdrawn".
INDICTMENTS. 1920-1934. 1 Volume. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Typed.
This series records the date received, the charge,
the arraignment date, and the plea.
POLICE COURT
Founded in 1805, The Police Court is a city criminal court which,
according to the records, dealt with minor criminal cases.
JUSTICE'S DOCKET. (1895-1915). 61 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany Police Court.
Handwritten. Indexed.
This series contains brief but valuable information on each entry:
the name of the arresting officer, the date of arrest, the charge, the plea,
and often, the outcome of the case. If the person was found guilty,
the usual punishment was a small fine or a few days in jail.
Crimes tried included breach of the peace, vagrancy, and public
intoxication.
GRAND JURY CASES. (1919-1974, not inclusive). 4 Cubic Feet.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten and Typed.
This series contains substantial information on each case.
Included are warrants, complaints and full transcripts of some cases.
Most of these records are convictions from the Police Court,
but the records of various town courts are also located in this series.
A rather large gap appears: 1924-1961 are missing.

The Supreme Court of New York

The Supreme Court was established in 1691 and until 1847 was
known as the Supreme Court of Judicature. The Court had original
and appellate jurisdiction over major civil and criminal matters.
Originally, the court held four terms a year in New York City.
During the early 19th century, terms were moved to Albany, Utica,
and Geneva. In each county, a circuit court was held for trials of
civil matters and a Court of Oyer and Terminer was held to try felony cases.
At this time the Supreme Court rarely tried cases; its business was
largely appeals. Supreme Court civil cases were sent to the Circuit
Court for trial.
The court was reorganized under the Constitutions of 1777
and 1822 but the major change came in 1847. The entire New York
State court system was then reorganized and the Supreme Court
of Judicature became simply the Supreme Court. The new court
was now the state's "highest court of original unlimited jurisdiction
in both law and equity".
For more information on the pre-1847 Supreme Court see James Folts'
Duely and Constantly Kept, published by the New York State Court of Appeals
and the New York State Archives and Records Administration.
Circuit Court
Established in 1692, the Circuit Court was the civil trial branch
of the Supreme Court. Originally, the Supreme Court justices
"rode circuit", holding court at least once a year in each county, but
in 1822 the state was divided into eight circuits, each with its own
appointed judge, In 1847, the Court reverted to the old system of the
Supreme Court Justices riding circuit. In 1896, the Circuit Court was
replaced by the Trial Term of the Supreme Court.
MINUTES. (1808-1893). 24 Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten. Indexed.
AVAILABLE OF MICROFILM.
Minutes of the court record the plaintiff’s and defendant's name,
date of session, and synopsis of the case, including the final verdict
and damages awarded. The minutes were kept by official clerks
appointed by the court.
Court of Oyer and Terminer.
According to Black's Law Dictionary, the term Oyer and Terminer is
half Old English, half French and means "to inquire, hear and determine".
In New York, the Court of Oyer and Terminer was established in 1691 and
was the criminal branch of the Supreme Court until 1896 when its duties
were absorbed by the Trial Term of the Supreme Court.
MINUTES. (1805-1896). 15 Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
Recorded in these minutes is information concerning the jury selection
process, recognizances (the setting of bail), and indictments.
One could be indicted in the Court of Oyer and Terminer and tried in
another court; the court determined that the defendant could be tried in
"the next court holding criminal jurisdiction in the offense to be held at
the city of Albany". The more common crimes tried were burglary,
perjury, petit larceny and assault and battery.
RECORD OF CONVICTIONS. (1866-1874). 2 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten. Indexed.
These records are organized in a chart with three labeled columns:
Name, Offense and How Disposed. The "how disposed column
usually has only an arraignment date.
The crimes recorded cover everything from public intoxication
to murder.
Trial, General and Special Terms of the Supreme Court
The "term" of a court is the time prescribed by law during which it may
be in session. The Trial Term is the regular sitting term of the court.
he Special Term handled equity proceedings.
A court of equity was a civil court where a plantiff could obtain
"equitable relief" or "specific performance" (e.g. an injunction, a
foreclosure, or a divorce), whereas in a court of law he could only obtain
money damages or the restitution of real or personal property. Courts of
equity no longer exist in New York State; equity relief is obtainable in
courts of law.
The Special Term also handled "nonenumerated" business
(i.e. business not on the court calendar) and special procedural rulings,
like a change of venue or certain motions, that did not involve the
merits of a case.
The General Term heard cases on appeal from the
Trial Term and other courts, but this branch of the court ceased to
function in 1896 when the Appellate Division was established.
MINUTES, GENERAL AND SPECIAL TERM. (1847-1931, Bulk 1847-1856).
1O Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological. Agency
Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten. Indexed.
These minutes summarize cases heard by both the General and Special
terms of the Supreme Court. Most of the cases deal with property disputes
with several references to bonds, morgages and the appointment of guardians.
It should be noted that as a court of equity the special term
heard many divorce cases.
ORDER BOOKS, SPECIAL TERM. (1856-1936). 187 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten-early, Typed-later. Indexed.
These records are quite useful in that they provide a summary of the
case, often revealing some important facts, including who won.
Also recorded are court orders handed down in the case, often involving the
appointment of a referee or guardian. It should be noted that as a
court of equity the Special Term did not hear cases involving money damages.
MINUTES, SPECIAL TERM. (1928-1937). 3 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Typed. Indexed.
The information in these records is scant, only including the case
name, the judge's name and requests for motions.
MINUTES, GENERAL TERM. (1856-1901). 15 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten. Indexed.
This series contains cases on appeal from the County Court,
Court of Special Sessions and the Circuit Court. These minutes
reveal whether the lower court's verdict was upheld, reversed or
a new trial ordered.
CIVIL MINUTES, TRIAL TERM., (1856-1956, not inclusive). 11 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Typed. Indexed.
Labeled "Civil Causes", these minutes record orders and motions.
The years 1901, 1911-1913 and 1930-1948 are missing from this series.
CRIMINAL MINUTES, TRIAL TERM. (1896-1927). 2 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency 0rigin: Albany County Clerk.
Typed. Indexed.
Label "Criminal Causes", these minutes document the jury selection
process, the names of witnesses and for whom they spoke (prosecution or
defense), and the verdict. The sentencing information includes the
convict's place of birth and occupation. Among the cases heard were
bribery, violation of the liquor law, sodomy, burglary, and larceny. There
were also a few capital (murder) cases recorded here.
Supreme Court-Miscellaneous Records
Each of the following series of records contains infornation from more
than one branch of the Supreme Court.
MINUTES. (1932-1943). 26 Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency 0rigin: Albany County Clerk. Typed. Indexed.
Labeled "Proceedings", these minutes cover both the Special and Trial
terms of the court and record orders, motions, etc. Most of the cases deal
with real property, especially foreclosures.
ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGEMENTS. (1894-1945, not inclusive). 3 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten-early, Typed-later. Indexed.
These are records from civil suits in which one party was an Albany
County resident and the other party resided outside the county.
The records contain information concerning the recovery of a judgement
from the losing party of a lawsuit by the winner of the suit.
JUDGEMENT ROLLS IN PARTITION. (1849-1880). 16 volumes. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Typed.
These records were damaged (in the February 10, 1880 fire that
destroyed Albany City Hall.) and were rerecorded in this series.
These are civil cases concerning the partition (court-supervised division)
of real property. Among the information recorded here is the transcription
of wills, orders to referees to calculate the worth of certain properties
and other similar orders and motions concerning the case.
LIST OF JUDGEMENT ROLLS PRESERVED IN FIRE. (1850-1865). 2 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten.
Apparently, this series relates to the Judgement Rolls in Partition
above. It is a chart with the following labeled columns: Against Whom,
In Favor Of, Filed.
CLERK'S MINUTES OF CAUSES. (1842). 1 Volume.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten.- AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
These minutes contain scant information, simply stating "motion denied"
or recording the fact that a certain paper was filed. Occasionally,
a judgement is recorded.
INDEX TO CAUSES. (1847-1848). 1 Volume. Arrangement: Alphabetical.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.An alphabetical listing of cases with a page number listed for each 'Case.'
It is unclear what records this volume indexes.SUPREME COURT IN EQUITY LEDGERS. (1841-1844). 2 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten.
These two volumes are labeled "Ledger of Goods Bought and Received"
and "Financial Ledger Number Seven". They appear to be an administrative
record, recording a list of names with debits and credits.
ROLL OF ATTORNEYS. (1858-1898, not inclusive). 1 Volume.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten.
This series contains the oath taken by attorneys to support the
Constitutions of the United States and the State of New York.
Also recorded are the name of the attorney, the date of the oath
and when the attorney was admitted. The years 1896-1897 are
missing from this series.
JUDGEMENT ROLLS. (1800-1924, Bulk 1850-1918). 1,535 Cubic Feet.
Arrangement: Chronological Then Alphabetical.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten-Early, Typed-Later.
Located in this series is the most complete information on a case,
including complete copies of summons, complaints, answers, etc.,
and often there is a whole collection of documents on one case.
Some major cases are transcribed in a printed bound volume:
these are cases which were appealed to a higher court and
remitted to the lower court after the judgement was affirmed,
reversed, or modified.
Civil cases comprise the bulk of material, but criminal cases are
also present. Records from all branches of the court are preserved
in these boxes. There are sporadic gaps, both chronologically and
alphabetically.
LEDGER OF SURETIES/MORTGAGES. (1823-1877). 1 Volume.
Arrangement: Alphabetical. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten.
This volume contains charts with the following labeled columns: Name,
Surety, Name of Collector, Town, Dollar Amount and Date.

Surrogate's Court

Estates is the key word when it comes to Surrogate's Court; that,
and supervising the administration of small estates. In each county,
a Surrogate "has power over administrators, executors, guardians and
trustees of estates and all matters which may arise in such connection",
according to Black's Law Dictionary. First appointed in New York by
the governor in 1692, Surrogates were responsible for administrating
oaths. A Surrogate's Court was established in each county in 1787.
DECREES OF FINAL SETTLEMENT. (1899-1929, not inclusive).
8 Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin:
Albany County Surrogate's Court. Printed and Typed. Indexed.
These records contain orders on how an estate was to be settled.
A summary statement of the monies involved is given, including the
value of the estate minus certain expenses, such as funeral costs,
executor's fees and other debts owed. Finally, the names of the heirs
are listed with their shares of the estate. The years 1906 to 1921
are missing from this series.
RECORD OF INSTRUMENTS SETTLING ESTATES.
(1903-1956, not inclusive). 18 Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court. Typed.
This series records the fact that certain duties connected with the
settlement of an estate were fulfilled, through the use of sworn statements
by persons, banks and corporations. For example, a bank swears it paid
the executor a fee from an account of the estate involved or an individual
swears they have received their entitled inheritance.
Also included are judges' dismissals of executors upon the completion
of their duties. The years 1928 and 1951 are missing from this
series.
GENERAL ORDERS. (1805-1950, not inclusive). 61 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County
Surrogate's Court. Early Records - Handwritten. Later Records typed.
Indexed.
These records contain court orders for setting a court date,
the disbursement of money and answering executor's requests,
among other acts. Also included in this series are Orders for the
Publication of Citations,by which the court ordered the executor
to advertise in a local newspaper the court date of the settlement,
so those having claim against the estate could be present.
The following years are missing from this series:
1823-1832, 1834-1835, 1839-1840, 1866-1867, 1886, 1897-1906,
1914-1924 and 1929.
ORDERS FOR SPECIAL GUARDIAN. (1889-1958, not inclusive). 7 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's
Court. Printed, Handwritten-early, Typed-later. Indexed.
This is a record of the court appointing special guardians for those
minors (referred to as infants) who did not have a general guardian
(see below), which was usually one of the minor's parents. The
following gaps appear in the records: 1896-1905 and 1928-1945.
ORDERS FOR GENERAL GUARDIAN. (1895-1951, not inclusive). 9 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County
Surrogate's Court. Printed, Handwritten-Early, Typed-Later. Indexed.
This series, which consists of standard printed forms with blank
spaces for the inclusion of names and dates, records the court
appointment of a minor's parent as his or her general guardian
to protect the minor's interests in an estate.
EXECUTOR’S FEE LEDGER. (1840-1844). 1 Volume. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court.
Handwritten.
This series lists the expenses an executor has incurred in the
administration of an estate. It must be noted that this series is
difficult to decipher because of cramped handwriting and the
use of many abbreviations.
RECEIPT OF TAXES. (1841-1852). 2 Volumes. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court.
Handwritten. Indexed.
This series is arranged in a chart with the following columns:
Date, For Whom, Ward, Page, Property Base and Received.
RECEIPT BOOKS FOR WILLS. (1839-1958, not, inclusive). 7 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County
Surrogate's Court. Printed. Indexed.
The Receipt Books simply state the fact that the Executor has
received the will. Each statement reads, "Received of Surrogate
of Albany County, the original last will and testament' of [blank- space]
left in the office of probate". The years 1917 and 1945
are missing from this series.
SALE OF REAL ESTATE. (1872-1950, not inclusive). Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court.
Printed and Handwritten.
This series gives information concerning the sale of the decedent’s
real property in order to settle the debts of the estate.
The records contain many court orders, including orders for
the administrator to appear in court and explain why property should
not be sold to settle debts,orders to appoint a guardian to protect a
minor's interests and orders to sell property, accompanied by a record
of how the money was distributed. Often there is a description of the
land involved. The years 1889-1895 and 1902-1909 are missing
from this series.
ORDERS TO APPEAR FOR SETTLING ESTATE. (1906-1913). 2 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County
Surrogate's Court. Printed and Handwritten. Indexed.
This series consists of court orders directing the administrator to
place an advertisement in a local newspaper informing anyone who
wishes to make a claim against the estate to contact the administrator
at his place of business. Among the newspapers named were the
Albany Times-Union, Altamont Enterprise, Albany Evening Journal and
the Cohoes Republican.
DECREES ASSESSING TAX. (1905-1959, not inclusive). 26 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court.
Printed and Typed. Indexed.
This series consists of court orders appointing an appraiser to
appraise an estate for taxation. These records are important because
they contain the exact date of death of the deceased. The following years
are missing: 1924, 1951, 1959.
EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR AND TRUSTEES BONDS.
(1892-1954, not inclusive). 35 Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court. Printed
and Typed. Indexed.
Executors, administrators and trustees had to post bond as
insurance of the faithful fulfillment of their duties. This series is
a record of those bonds organized in standard printed forms with
blank spaces for the insertion of names and dates.
ORDERS APPOINTING APPRAISER. (1905-1926, not inclusive).
10 Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany
County Surrogate's court. Printed and Typed. Indexed.
This series consists of court orders in the form of printed
statements directing the appraiser of an estate, to give notice
to certain named persons when and where the appraisal will take
place so they can be present. Presumably, all persons named have
an interest in the estate.
TESTAMENTARY: LETTERS OF TRUSTEESHIP. (1923-1929).
1 Volume. Arrangement: Alphabetical. Agency Origin: Albany
County Surrogate's Court. Printed and Handwritten. Indexed.
This series is arranged in a chart with the following
labeled columns: Date of Filing, Name of Testator, Trustees,
Address of Trustees, Will Probated, Decree-Order-Instrument,
Date filed, Bond and Remarks. Usually the remark column states
"no bonds required".
DATES OF RETURN PROBATE. (1880-1925). 1 Volume. Arrangement.
Alphabetical. Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court.
Printed and Handwritten. Indexed.
The information in this series is arranged in chart form with the
following labeled columns: Name, Date, Book and Page.
PROBATE OF WILLS. (1944-1948). 3 Volumes. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court.
Printed and Typed. Indexed.
This series is a record of the court requiring "proper parties"
to appear in court on an appointed date to ascertain if there
are any reasons a will should not be admitted to probate or if
there are any objections to the named executors.
The name of the executor, the witnesses to the will and all
those present at each hearing are recorded.
LETTERS TO GUARDIANS. (1876-1943, not inclusive). 4 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County
Surrogate's Court. Printed and Handwritten.
These records are similar to the Orders for Guardianship, but
in addition to appointing a guardian, they also contain orders for the
guardian to appear in court on an appointed date and to post bond.
The years 1882-1913 and 1928-1932 are missing.
GUARDIAN BONDS. (1890-I908, not inclusive). 6 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County
Surrogate's Court. Printed and Handwritten. Indexed.
These records are oaths sworn by individuals to validate certain facts.
For example, the most common oaths are sworn statements that a person
recognizes an individual's handwriting or a corporate seal. Oddly,
no mention of guardianship is present although one assumes there is some
connection. This series is also unusual in that it contains some court
proceedings outside of Albany County. The years 1904-1905 are
missing from this series.
OFFICIAL BONDS. (1900-1901). 1 Volume. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court. Handwritten. Indexed.
This series is basically the same as the Executors, Administrators and
Trustees Bond except that, in this series, the deceased apparently
died intestate.
RENUNCIATION OF EXECUTORS. (1893-1905). 1 Volume.
Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court. Handwritten. Indexed.
As its name suggests, this is a record of persons who renounce
their named appointment as executor of a will.
The Renunciation is witnessed by the Commssioner of Deeds.
The renouncing executor's name and city of residence are recorded.
LIST OF INVENTORY: INDEX TO INTESTATE ESTATES. (1850-1891).
1 Volume. Arrangement: Alphabetical.
Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court. Handwritten.
This series basically consists of an index with names and numbers.
The location of the records of each estate has been changed,
so this index is no longer useful.
INDEX TO TAXABLE TRANSFERS OF PROPERTY. (1850-1918). 1 Volume.
Arrangement: Alphabetical. Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court.
Handwritten. Indexed.
This series contains only a list of names with no other reference.
Most of the book is blank.
REAL ESTATE BOOKS. (1852-1873). 2 Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court. Handwritten. Indexed.
These records differ only in name and form from the Sale of Real Estate
series (see above). They are a record of court orders to settle the debts
of an estate by selling real property.
ESTATE ACCOUNT LEDGER. (1818-1836). 1 Volume.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin:
Albany County Surrogate's Court. Handwritten. Indexed.
This is a record of expenses incurred and monies paid from each
estate for items such as food, travel and taxes.
DAILY RECORD AND MINUTES. (1935-1957). 1 Cubic Foot.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin:
Albany County Surrogate's Court. Typed. Indexed.
These records are a summary of the proceedings of court cases.
Included are the recording of orders, filing of papers, court appearance,
as well as other information.
TRANSCRIPTS, AND STENO MINUTES. (1886-1957, not indusive).
1 Cubic Foot. Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin:
Albany County Surrogate's Court. Typed. Indexed.
These records, which include the testimony of witnesses and others,
are complete transcripts of court proceedings. Most cases appear to
involve a dispute surrounding a will. The following gaps appear in this
series: 1887-1894, 1906 and 1908-1914.
JUDGEMENT DOCKET. (1896-1915). 1 Volume. Arrangement:
Chronological then Alphabetical. Agency Origin:
Albany County Surrogate's Court. Handwritten. Indexed.
The information in this series is arranged in chart form with the
following labeled columns: Amount Deposited, Title of Action
(usually settlement of account), Name of Party to
Whom Ordered Pay, Order Filed (date), and Receipt Filed (date).
This volume's unbound pages are now stored in a box.
RECORD OF TRANSFERS. (1927-1939, not inclusive). 2 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County
Surrogate's Court. Typed. Indexed.
This is a record of a distributee transferring his interest in an
estate to another "for value received". A distributee, according to
Black's Law Dictionary, is one who is entitled by law to a share of
an estate of someone who died intestate. The following gaps in the
series appear: 1928-1929, 1932-1934 and 1936-1938.
GENERAL ORDERS' APPRAISAL FOR TAXATION. (1895-1903). 7 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court.
Handwritten. Indexed.
This series contains court orders appointing appraisers to appraise
the value of an estate for estate taxes.
ESTATE RECORDS. (1875-1927). 18 Cubic Feet. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Surrogate's Court.
Handwritten and Typed.
This series consists of important papers concerning the settlement and
management of estates, including estates held in trust for many years.
Some estates' records consist of a file of a few inches, while
others consist of a few boxes. Included are checks, receipts,
and inventories.
Basically, records produced in the administration of the estate can
be found in this series. Some of the boxes are labeled "vouchers"
while larger estates are labeled by their names (e.g. "The Brady Estate").
There are also bound volumes labeled "Judicial Settlement" which are
ledgers for large complex estates held in trust. These ledgers hold
financial information such as records of stocks bought and sold,
dividend interest, cash receipts, etc. There are also volumes labeled,
"Account of Proceedings" which are similar to the
Judicial Settlement Books.
GUARDIAN APPOINTMENT BOOKS. (1870-1887). 3 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin:
Albany County Surrogate's Court. Handwritten. Indexed.
This series is a register arranged in chart form with the following
labeled columns: Name of Infant, Date of Birth, Name and Address of
Guardian, Name and Address of Sureties, Date of Appointment, LIB
("Liber"=Book), Page and Remarks.

Other Court Records and Court Related Records

Each of the following series contains the records of more than one
court, therefore making it difficult to categorize them under any one court.
Also, at the end of this section is one series from the Court of Chancery
which did not meet the criteria to be placed in any other section of the
finding aid.
JUDGEMENT BOOKS. (1877-1943). 163 Volumes. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten-Early, Typed-Later.
These records cover cases heard in the County Court and various
branches of the Supreme Court. This series lists judgements handed
down in civil cases, stating who won and how much was awarded.
How the judgement was arrived at is vague, usually only stating
"upon the jury's verdict", by the decision of an arbitrator, or because
one of the parties failed to appear in court. Although the facts of a
case are often vague, some interesting information and details can be
obtained here. For instance, cases involving property disputes include
a surveyor's detailed description of the property. It should be noted that
original documents from these cases might be found in the two series
entitled "Judgement Rolls" in the Supreme and County Court sections.
JUDGEMENT INDEXES. (1929-1958, not inclusive). 56 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological, then Alphabetical. Agency Origin:
Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
Information in this series is recorded in chart form, with the
following columns: Parties Against Whom Judgement was Obtained,
Parties in Whose Favor Judgement was Obtained, Attorneys, Court,
Debt, Damages and Cost, Judgement When Perfected, Judgement When
Docketed, When Satisfied. The years covered in this series are scattered,
covering 1928, 1929, 1934, 1941, 1948, 1954, 1956, 1958 and 1959.
JUDGEMENT DOCKETS. (1840-1895, not inclusive). 51 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological, then Alphabetical. Agency Origin:
Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
This series contains the same information as the Judgement Indexes
(above) and in the same chart form; only the name and the time period
covered differ. The most common courts which appear in this series are
the County, Supreme and Justice's Courts and, on rarer occasions,
records from the Court of Common Pleas (Pre- 1 847) and the Mayor's
Court appear. The years 1842-1859 are missing.
REGISTERS. (1899-1918). 14 Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten. Indexed.
This series records civil cases from the Supreme, County and
Recorders Court (there are no separate records for Recorders).
Each case is recorded on a small block on the page with brief annotations,
such as "stipulation and order of discontinuance", "final judgement
and proof" and "failure to answer". This may be a court clerk's register
(essentially a tracking record).
GENERAL ASSIGNMENTS. (1892-1911, not inclusive). 5 Cubic Feet.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten.
This series contains materials relating to debt and insolvement
assignment cases in the County and Supreme Courts. Among the
materials available are schedules of property, orders directing bond,
vouchers, and citations to creditors who wish to,make a claim against
an estate. The following years are missing from this series: 1893 and
1895.
JUSTICES RETURNS ON APPEAL. (19Ol-l9ll). 3 Cubic Feet.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten. Indexed.
This series covers the County Court, Police Court, and various city
courts for both criminal and civil cases. These records are cases that
were appealed because of a belief that the judge "erred in his ruling".
There are various types of papers preserved: in this series, such as a court
order to release someone from prison, copies of cornplaints and transcripts
of a case.
MINUTES.(1888-1901, not inclusive): Arrangement Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
This series is a record of orders motions and papers filed in the
County and Supreme Courts. The years1895-1898 are misssing
from this series.
BOND OF COMMITTEE-INCOMPETENTS. (1897-1914). 1 Cubic Foot.
Arrangement: Chronological. - Agency Origin: Albany Camty Clerk.
Handwritten.
This series is a record of bonds posted in the Supreme and
County Courts by trustees appointed by the court to handle legal
aspects of an incompetent's estate. The bonds insured the faithful
execution of the trustees'duties.
RECOGNIZANCES. (1881-1926). 1 Cubic Foot. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
This series records the posting of bail in the County and Police
Courts and is divided into bail posted before and after the indictment.
The information recorded in this series includes the name of the
denfendant, the crime committed, the defendant's occupation and
address, and the amount of the bond.
GUARDIAN BONDS. (1906-1915). 1 Cubic Foot. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Typed.
This series contains the bonds posted by guardians for the faithful
execution of their duties.
RECORD OF HABITUAL CRIMINALS. (1913). 1 Volume. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
This series lists the convict's name and every crime he or she
committed, starting with the most recent crime. Also recorded is the
statement that he or she was "adjudged to be a habitual criminal".
RECOGNIZANCES IN OPEN COURT. (1881-1916). 1 Volume. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
This series is a record of defendants who posted bail or were
released on their own recognizance, swearing to appear in court on
the prescribed date. The defendant's crime is also recorded.
INDEX TO COURT RECORDS. (1811-1918). 1 Volume. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
Apparently, this series is an administrative record, but which
court it covers is unclear. It is in chart form with the defendant's
name and plaintiffs name, along with a "draw number:" and "number".
(This is probably a reference to the physical location of court records
when in the Clerk's office - "draw" = "drawer".)
BOOK OF INDICTMENTS. (1894-1900). I Volume. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
This record covers the Court of Sessions, the Court of Oyer and
Terminer, County Court and Supreme Court. It states the name of the
defendant, the crime committed and how the case was disposed.
SUPREME COURT CASES (1869-1874) SURROGATE COURT CASES. (1893).
1 Volume. Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten. Indexed.
This series is a clerk's register of filed court papers. Annotations
read "delivered copy of summons", "notice of trial to attorney" and
"filed notice of issue".
SUPREME COURT RECORDS, INCLUDING MAYOR'S COURT.(1859-1862).
1 Volume. Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten. AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM.
This clerk's register has brief annotations concerning court papers
such as notices, summons, and answers. It must be noted that the
handwriting here is very compact and difficult to decipher.
INDICTMENTS OF THE SUPREME AND COUNTY COURTS.
(1900-1901). 1 Volume. Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin:
Albany County Clerk. Handwritten. Indexed.
This series records the defendant's name, what crime was
committed, when it was committed and the eventual outcome of
the case.
SHERIFF'S REGISTER-LEDGER ON ALL COURTS. (1830. 1832).
1 Volume. Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin:
Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
This volume is a register of writs issued and returned. It contains
charts with the following labeled columns: Parties in Suit, Return,
By Whom, Attorneys, Dollars and Cents.
COMMITMENTS. (1885-1893). 1 Volume. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten. Indexed.
This series covers the Court of Sessions and the Court of Oyer and
Terminer and is a record of convicts committed to a county jail or state
prison. It states the name of the convict, the offense and the sentence.
RECORD OF CONVICTIONS. (1930-1974, not inclusive). 12 Cubic Feet.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten.
Most of these records are convictions from the Police Court but
convictions from the various town courts are included.
These records are printed, folded slips of paper containing the
following infornation: The convict's name, crime, when it was
committed and the sentence. The crinies were misdemeanors;
the most common were public intoxication and vagrancy.
Often, only a citation of the law was given, for example,
"chapter 10, section 2 of the code". The following gaps appear
in this series, 1951, 1954, 1960, 1963-65, 1968-69
and 1973.
DOCKET OF JUSTICE'S TRANSCRIPTS. (1872-1915). 1 Volume.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten. Indexed.
This series is a summary record of conviction for town and city
criminal courts. The information recorded includes the name of the
convict, the offense and the date of sentencing.
GRAND TRIAL JUROR'S REGISTERS. (1931-1956, not inclusive).
2 Cubic Feet. Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin:
Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
These records cover the County Court and various branches of the
Supreme Court, listing juror's names, addresses and occupations.
Also recorded are court orders to raise a jury to appoint court officers.
The following years are missing: 1941-1947.
CIVIL DOCKET. (1842-1844). 1 Volume. Arrangement: Chronological.
Agency Origin: Sheriff’s Department. Handwritten. Indexed.
This series is a record of writs served by the Sheriff s Department.
It contains charts with the following labeled columns: Date,
Title of Action (the court and the name of the case), Attorney, on Whom
Served, Where Served, Remarks and Fee.
The Court of Chancery
Established in 1685, the Court of Chancery had equity jurisdiction
and appellate jurisdiction over probate matters. Original jurisdiction
was vested in the Surrogate's Court after 1787. The court's duties
were absorbed by the Supretre Court in 1847.
REGISTERS AND LEDGERS. (1808-1839, not inclusive). 2 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk.
Handwritten.
Labeled "Deposit expenditure of Court Cases" and "Ledger B", this
series appears to keep a record of debits and credits on estates that
are involved in court cases. There are expenses for fees, drafts,
interest accumulation and cash deposits, among other entries.
The years 1826-1829 are missing from this series.

COURT RELATED RECORDS

The following records contain information that is not directly part
of a court case, but is related to a case in some way.
Researchers may find this information useful.
PRISONER ADMISSION RECORDS. (1831-1931, not inclusive).
47 Volumes. Arrangement: Chronological. Agency Origin:
Sheriff’s Department. Handwritten.
These records were given various names such as Jailor's Dockets,
Commitments, Criminal Calendars, Deputies' Registers and Record
of Prisoners. All contain the same basic information concerning the
admission of convicts to jail, although some records are more
complete than others. The most common information given is the
date of admission, name, age, where bom, hair, eyes, height, weight,
color, occupation, habits of life (temperate or intemperate),
social relations (mariied or single.), education, religion, health,
sentence, number of prior commitments and amount of money in
possession.
Some series contain more information. The Bertillion
Ledgers have a section labeled Anthrometric Data which lists body
measurements, such as the length of limbs, size of ears and width of
the forehead. Other books, such as the Criminal Calendar, state
only the name of the convict, offense, date of discharge, by whom,
and sentence. One volume, entitled Board Book, shows a list of
expenses incurred in the transfer of prisoners from other parts of the
country to Albany; it includes board, mileage and cost of clothing.
The following gap appears in the series: 1832-1833. The years 1853
and 1866-68 can be found only in the Registers of Convicts Received
from Washington, D.C. A list of the different sub-series is provided
below:
Bertillion Ledger - 3 Volumes (1895-97, 1898, 1923-25).
Jailor's Docket-8 Volumes (1886-88, 1888-89, 1888-91,
1891-92,1892-94, 1928-1930, 1928-1931,nodate).
Register or Record of Prisones. 8 Volumes (1846, 1871,
1871-72 1882-88, 1885-89, 1888-1901, 1895-1922,
1896- 1920).
Criminal Book - I Volume (I 83 1).
Admission Books. 4 Volumes (1878-81, 1883, 1912-1921, 1920-
1921).
Criminal Calendar. 2Volumes (1838-43, 1843-47).
Deputy'sRegister. 6Volumes (1888-94, 1894-96, 1896-1904,
1904-1915, 1915-1924, 1924-1931).
Albany County Jail Register - 6 Volumes (1834-39, 1854-65, 1861-
1863, 1871-72, 1888-1901, 1896-1900).
Register of Convicts Received From Washington D.C. - I Volume
(1862-1928). Board Book -I Volume (I 898-1900).
LIS PENDENS. (1887-1908, not inclusive). 5 Volumes.
Arrangement: Chronological, then Alphabetical. Agency Origin:
Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
Lis Pendens means pending suit. A record of Lis Pendens is
kept to put all on notice that a certain property is involved in litigation
and in danger of being affected by an adverse judgement.
This series appears to be an index to more information about a law suit.
A chart provides date, book and page. Also, there is a column labeled
"Notes", but most of these columns are empty.
JURORS LIST. (1897-1905, not inclusive). 5 Volumes. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Commissioner of Jurors. Handwritten.
This series list prospective jurors in a chart with the following
information: Name, City, Town Where From, Ward, Residence,
Occupation and remarks. The most common remark is "not
qualified".
COURT PAYROLL. (1911-1981, bulk l9ll-1942). 8Volumes. Arrangement:
Chronological. Agency Origin: Albany County Clerk. Handwritten.
As its name implies, this series is a ledger recording money paid to
court employees. The years 1943-1975 are missing from this series.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bailey, Marey L. and Sweeney, Sharon M. Guide to the Historical Records
in the Office of the Albany County Clerk. Albany, NY.- Albany
County Clerk, 1979.
Black's Law Dictionary. St. Paul, MN: West Publishing Co., 1979.
Folts, James D. "Duely & Constantly Kept": A History of the New York
Supreme Court- 1691-1847 and An Inventory of Its Records, 1797-1847.
Albany, NY. State Court of Appeals and the New York State Archives and
Records Administration, 1991.
Gehring, Charles T., ed. Fort Orange Court Minutes, 1652-1660.
Syracuse, NY. Syracuse University Press, 1990.
Van Laer, A.J.F., ed. Minutes of the Court of Albany, Rensselaerwyck,
and Schenectady, 1680-1685. Volume III. Albany, NY. The University
of the State of New York, 1932.
The Works Progress Administration. Inventory of the County Archives
(exclusive of the Five Counties of New York City). Albany, NY.
The Historical Records Survey, 1937.

HALL OF RECORDS EXPANSION PROJECTPARKING NOTICE:The Albany County Hall of Records will be starting an expansion project AUGUST 14, 2017.
This project will take several months. We ask our visitors to park in the provided area behind the building or on the street. Thank you for your patience as our records facility is enhanced.